Desmond Moela, a family friend, told Sowetan last night that he last spoke to Mabuza earlier on Thursday. “We were speaking about general stuff and family. I’m still hurt, my brother. We are really hurt about this. I saw him today … He was really not well,” said Moela.
Mabuza came to prominence when he became Mpumalanga’s first education MEC in 1994. His political influence rose beyond the province’s borders when he became its premier in 2009 and gained political power that at time influenced the decisions of the ANC’s NEC.
It was during his premiership that he earned the nickname “The Cat” for his stealth political machinations and “backroom” negotiation style. One of his biggest contributions to the country was his game-changing move at the ANC’s 54th national conference in Nasrec in 2017 to abort the RET (radical economic transformation) faction aligned with Jacob Zuma’s dynasty.
In 2018, Mabuza became the country’s deputy president and stepped down in 2023 without making much impression as he was absent from the public. President Cyril Ramaphosa sent his condolences to Mabuza’s family, friends and colleagues.
“We are saddened today by the loss of a leader who was grounded in activism at the early stages of his political career and who came to lead our nation and shape South Africa’s engagement with our continental compatriots and the international community in his role as deputy president,” said Ramaphosa.
ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula described Mabuza as a great leader who dedicated his life to serve the people.
“From his days in the Struggle against apartheid to his leadership as premier of Mpumalanga and later as deputy president, he was a committed cadre who carried the values of unity, discipline and transformation,” said Mbalula.
Rise Mzansi leader Songezo Zibi said Mabuza was a freedom fighter, seasoned politician, unionist and operator.
Mandla Khoza, and Herman Moloi
www.sowetanlive.co.za
